FAST FACTS:
About 2,500 people packed Little Rock's Robinson Center Music Hall in support of the West Memphis 3. Eddie Vedder, member of Pearl Jam and Dixie Chicks' Natalie Maines, along with actor Johnny Depp held a jam session to help raise money to pay legal fees for the men convicted in the 1993 murders of three West Memphis 8 year old boys.
"It makes me feel good. I know people that didn't know him like Johnny Depp. He don't know him from Adam and they all getting up there saying he's not guilty. Makes me feel good," said Jessie Misskelley, Sr.
Misskelley's son, Jessie, Jr. has been in prison for more than 17 years along with Jason Baldwin and Damien Echols. They were convicted in the murders of Steve Branch, Christopher Byers, and Michael Moore. Their bodies were found bound and mutilated in a creek.
Misskelley and Baldwin are serving life sentences. Echols is the only one on death row. The three say they were wrongly convicted and new DNA and other forensic evidence proves it. News Channel 3 went to Arkansas' death row for an exclusive interview with Echols.
"I don't believe this is just a random tragic thing. I have to hold on to the faith, the belief that this is for a reason and that something good will come out of this somehow," Echols said last February.
On September 30th the Arkansas Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Echol's appeal for a new trial. Baldwin and Misskelley's convictions were upheld earlier this year. Still, Misskelly's father is hopeful his son will one day be exonerated.
Misskelley said, "Whenever he heard about that bash they were having over there that really built him up. He said I wish I was out so I could go see it. I said, yea, me too."
Some of the parents of the 3 children killed also now back the 3 convicted getting new trials. Supporters hope billboards that hang over West Memphis and concerts with big name entertainers like the one held in Little Rock this weekend will raise awareness and lead to the freedom they believe the West Memphis 3 deserve.
The concert was planned by Arkansas Take Action. They are a support group formed to work for the freedom of the West Memphis 3.
- 2,500 show up to support West Memphis 3
- Johnny Depp, Eddie Vedder and Dixie Chick's Natalie Maines perform
- Father of convicted man happy about support
About 2,500 people packed Little Rock's Robinson Center Music Hall in support of the West Memphis 3. Eddie Vedder, member of Pearl Jam and Dixie Chicks' Natalie Maines, along with actor Johnny Depp held a jam session to help raise money to pay legal fees for the men convicted in the 1993 murders of three West Memphis 8 year old boys.
"It makes me feel good. I know people that didn't know him like Johnny Depp. He don't know him from Adam and they all getting up there saying he's not guilty. Makes me feel good," said Jessie Misskelley, Sr.
Misskelley's son, Jessie, Jr. has been in prison for more than 17 years along with Jason Baldwin and Damien Echols. They were convicted in the murders of Steve Branch, Christopher Byers, and Michael Moore. Their bodies were found bound and mutilated in a creek.
Misskelley and Baldwin are serving life sentences. Echols is the only one on death row. The three say they were wrongly convicted and new DNA and other forensic evidence proves it. News Channel 3 went to Arkansas' death row for an exclusive interview with Echols.
"I don't believe this is just a random tragic thing. I have to hold on to the faith, the belief that this is for a reason and that something good will come out of this somehow," Echols said last February.
On September 30th the Arkansas Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Echol's appeal for a new trial. Baldwin and Misskelley's convictions were upheld earlier this year. Still, Misskelly's father is hopeful his son will one day be exonerated.
Misskelley said, "Whenever he heard about that bash they were having over there that really built him up. He said I wish I was out so I could go see it. I said, yea, me too."
Some of the parents of the 3 children killed also now back the 3 convicted getting new trials. Supporters hope billboards that hang over West Memphis and concerts with big name entertainers like the one held in Little Rock this weekend will raise awareness and lead to the freedom they believe the West Memphis 3 deserve.
The concert was planned by Arkansas Take Action. They are a support group formed to work for the freedom of the West Memphis 3.
